Xi says China ‘will never seek hegemony’ no matter how strong it becomes

Xi says China ‘will never seek hegemony’ no matter how strong it becomes

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the World Economic Forum WEF Virtual Event of the Davos Agenda and delivers a special address via video link in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 25, 2021.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday his country will not pursue hegemony regardless of how powerful it becomes and called for a "more fair and equitable" global governance.

Beijing has increasingly clashed with the U.S. and other global powers on issues ranging from human rights to unfair trade practices. Those countries have raised concerns that China's rising political and economic influence is threatening the global order.

"However strong it may grow, China will never seek hegemony, expansion or a sphere of influence, nor will China ever engage in an arms race," Xi said at the opening ceremony of the annual Boao Forum for Asia in the Chinese province of Hainan.

Xi also promoted China as a champion for globalization and the multilateral trading system, saying that international rules should not be set by just one or a few nations.

Without naming any countries, Xi said big nations should behave in a manner "befitting their status and with a greater sense of responsibility."

He also spoke against a "Cold War" mentality and "ideological confrontation," adding